The Archbishop

Msgr Antoine Bou Najem

Archbishop of the Maronite Diocese of Antelias

Msgr Antoine Bou Najem
Date and place of birthBorn in August 10, 1967 – Harharaya Qattine (Kesserwan)

Ordinations

  1. 1993

    He received the minor degrees in September 1993, in St. Joseph Church, the Episcopal Chair - Qornet Chehwan, by His Excellency Bishop Youssef Beshara

  2. 1993

    He was ordained deacon in December 1993, in the Monastery of St Rock - Dekwaneh, by His Excellency Archbishop Youssef Beshara

  3. 1994

    He was ordained a priest on July 10, 1994, in Saint Elias Church - Dik El Mahdi, by His Excellency Archbishop Youssef Beshara

  4. 2021

    He was ordained Bishop on April 9, 2021, in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the Patriarchal Siege - Bkerke, by His Excellency Patriarch Beshara Boutros Al-Rahi

Educational Background

  • 1983

    He joined the Minor Seminary in Ghazir in 1983, where he continued his secondary cycle

  • 1986 – 1992

    He joined the Major Maronite Patriarcal Seminary- Ghazir in 1986 and majored in philosophy and theology at the University of the Holy Spirit - Kaslik from 1987 to 1992

  • 1992 – 1993

    He traveled to Loppiano, Italy, in 1992-1993, where he attended an intensive course on the spirituality of the priest, Mystici Corporis, with the Focolare movement

  • 1996 – 1999

    He traveled to Paris from 1996 to 1999, where he obtained a Master's Degree in pastoral theology, specializing in Christian-Islamic dialogue from the Institut Catholique de Paris

Pastoral background

  • 1994 – 1996

    Vicar at the parish of St. Elias - Deek El Mahdi from 1994 to 1996

  • 1999 – 2000

    Vicar at the Parish of St. Joseph - Atchaneh and the parish of Our Lady of Deliverance - Ain Alaq in the year 1999-2000

  • 2001

    Parish Priest at Saint Georges - Chaouia and Saint Rouhana - Kneitra in 2001

  • 2001 – today

    Parish Priest at Saint Elias - Ain Aar from 2001 to date

Administrative Responsibilities

  • 2001 – 2012

    Head of the Saint George Monastery - Bherdoq from 2001 to 2012

  • 2012 – 2018

    Episcopal Vicar for Education and Mission from 2012 to 2018

  • 2000 – 2018

    Head of the Department for Christian Education in Public Schools in the Maronite Diocese of Antelias from 2000 to 2018

  • 2018 – 2021

    Chaplain of the Youth Pastoral from 2018 to 2021

Teaching

  • 1994 – 2021

    Teacher of Christian Education at Saint Joseph School - Qornet Chehwan from 1994 to 2021

  • 1993 – 1996

    Teacher of Christian Education at Bikfaya Public High School from 1993 to 1996

  • 2014 – 2021

    Chaplain of the Secondary Department at Saint Joseph School - Qornet Chehwan from 2014 to 2021

Various Responsibilities

  • Member and coordinator of volunteer priests in the Focolare movement in Lebanon

  • 2002 – 2021

    Chaplain of the Saint Joseph Group - Qornet Chehwan, Scouts of Lebanon, from 2002 to 2021

  • 2005 – 2021

    Chaplain for END Team (Equipe Notre Dame) - Ain Aar from 2005 to 2021

  • 2010 – 2021

    Chaplain for Familles Nouvelles - Ain Aar from 2010 to 2021

  • 2014 – 2021

    Chaplain of the Marian Brothers Order School - Champville Dick El Mahdi from 2014 to 2021

  • 2016 – 2021

    National Chaplain for the Scouts Branch of the Scouts of Lebanon from 2016 to 2021

Episcopal Responsibilities

  • 2021 – today

    He was appointed as Supervisor for the National committee for Christian Education from 2021 to date by the APECL council

  • 2022 – today

    He was appointed as Supervisor for Scouts of Lebanon Association by the APECL council from 2022 to date

  • 2023

    He was appointed as Supervisor for CARITAS – Lebanon by APECL Association 2023

Languages

ArabicFrenchEnglishItalian